Pages

Friday, 2 January 2015

Guest Author Louise Boulter - Date Night

Louise Boulter lives in Moncton, New Brunswick. Her short stories have been published in the Codiac Chronicles. The following was taken from her membership bio of The Writers' Federation of New Brunswick of which she is a member.Writing (of course), reading, dancing, golfing, yoga, Tai Chi, Art/Drawing. Those are my interests, to name a few. I often wonder how I used to have time to work – I retired from the Federal Government in 2006. I took a Creative Writing Course at the NBCC Moncton, and that has revived the love of writing that I had when I was a youngster. I am married and have a wonderful son.Copyright is held by the author. Used by permission.

DATE NIGHT

Sitting at the table, Susan waited
for Michael to arrive. She fidgeted in her chair. Work was important, family
responsibilities were essential, but there was nothing more important than this
feeling of excitement, the anticipation of what lay ahead. Every Tuesday
evening, they met at an out of the way lounge and after a few drinks, would
return to her place and do what every couple do in the dark. No, she thought, not what every couple do, but what we have agreed to do. As much as
she would have wanted to go out with Michael more often, life always got in the
way. So Susan had learned to be satisfied with one special night of the week.
It was their night, and had been for the past year.

Before heading to the club, Susan had
carefully applied her make-up and put on her black velvet dress. Its low cut might
reveal a bit too much, but she knew Michael would love the way it showed just
the right amount of cleavage, enough to make him yearn to see more. The thought
of seeing him, his blond hair, his penetrating blue eyes looking into her brown
eyes, the thought of the feel of his arms around her when they danced, made her
heart race. They always started off this way, every Tuesday evening: having a
couple of drinks and then dancing to songs being played by the DJ – especially
the slow ones where their bodies moved closer against each other until they
became almost one. The anticipation mounted as thoughts of what lay ahead started
having its effects on their bodies. They both knew what to expect tonight.

As she sat at the small table,
looking up at the door whenever she heard it open, she felt a familiar warmth
rise in her body. Yes, she knew he was married, and she did not care.

It had been a busy day. It always
was busy on Tuesdays. She

had gotten up this morning, had prepared breakfast,
cleaned her house and went shopping. She had bought a red negligee to surprise Michael.
Susan wondered if she would have time to wear it tonight. In the afternoon she had
worked on her novel, something she loved doing.

One
day, she thought, I will show it to Michael
and have him give me feedbacks. She had not told Michael, but she was
working on a novel about their relationship, having altered the names of the couple,
of course. She had already published two books with Harlequin Romance and this
would be her third. She wondered what Michael would think of the steamy love
scenes. She always wrote the steamiest parts on Wednesdays, after their
lovemaking of the previous night. Writing about what they had done was her way
of keeping the memories of the previous night alive.

Shortly after five, Susan had
taken a leisurely bath, lighting a few candles. Looking at the soap bubbles
barely covering her breasts, thoughts of Michael’s hands cupping them prevented
her from relaxing. She got out of the tub, put on her bathrobe and went to the
bedroom where she smoothed the bed sheets and fluffed the pillows. Some
Tuesdays, she would buy roses and spread the petals on the bed, leaving a sweet
scent in the air. She knew Michael worked until seven and would undoubtedly be
picking up a bottle of her favorite wine or perhaps a bouquet of flowers. Every
week, he had something special for her. He always kept the gift for later, much
later.

Tonight she had a surprise for Michael. She had bought him a pocket
watch, not only as an anniversary gift, but as a reminder of how she cherished
their time together. The past year had been her salvation and she knew,
instinctively, it had also been Michael's.

Susan wondered if it would be as
special if they met more often. But no, she knew he had other responsibilities,
other matters needing his attention. The fact he was such a devoted husband and
loved his wife in ways only a wife could understand – from fixing the broken
tap in the kitchen, replacing the burnt-out light bulb in the bathroom, to
mowing the lawn - the many things husbands do for their wives, only made her
love him more. Yes, thought Susan, his wife is one lucky lady. But tonight is
our night, a night of no responsibilities, of no thoughts of wives, husbands,
or household chores. She needed these Tuesdays.

*************

Michael was thinking the same thing.

Yes, as much as I love my wife and my work, as much as I love taking care of
her, I NEED my Tuesdays with Susan.
Without them, I do not think I could get through each week. These weekly
dates with Susan were something Michael looked forward to, something he needed
in order to get through the long six days before the following Tuesday.

As Michael parked his car in the lot
behind the club, he knew who was waiting for him. He was aware Susan knew he
was married to a lovely wife who doted on him, two children who were his pride
and joy. His marriage was a happy one; it was his reason for living at times.
But tonight and every Tuesday night for the past year, had become his escape, his
one night away from all the responsibilities his job and his marriage brought. A good marriage takes a lot of work, he
thought. Work he was willing to do, because he loved his wife. But he also needed
this diversion. He was glad Susan understood this.

As he made his way inside the lounge,
he spotted Susan sitting by herself, at their usual table. How he adored this lady. She had been willing
to go along with anything he asked of her, no questions asked. He felt he was
the luckiest man alive. Michael had heard the saying ‘live for the moment’ and
this evening was the moment he had been waiting for all week.

“Hello Susan” he said as he sat down
next to her. “And how was your day?”

She looked into the eyes of the man
she loved more than life itself. “I had a great day Michael. It was busy, but
you know I am never too busy for you. The very thought of meeting you tonight is
what made my today special.”

***********

The waitress approached their table
and asked what they wanted to drink. Susan had opted to wait for Michael before
ordering. They placed their usual order. The waitress knew this couple well.
They had been customers of hers for almost a year and they would leave a hefty
tip before they left. She wondered about them. They seemed to have a certain
connection. They also seemed so much in love, and yet, she somehow suspected
they had some kind of secret between them. Something she could not quite put
her finger on. Maybe it was because they preferred to sit at the same table at
the back of the lounge, away from the other customers, away from prying eyes.
She had seen many rendez-vous in her time as a waitress, but they usually
lasted one night, two nights maybe, even a month or more. But this couple, they
seemed so much in love. Plus the fact that even after all these months, they
still came separately, the woman arriving first, then the man. There was just
something about them which fascinated her. She instinctively knew they were not
your normal dating couple. But who was she to judge?

“Oh same as usual – you know, a
meeting this morning, working on my environmental impact report this afternoon.”

“And what are your plans for later?”
hoping the question sounded seductive. Michael replied with a simple ‘You.’
Susan blushed.

After they finished their second
drink, a slow romantic song started playing and Michael took her hand and led
her to the dance floor. In the past year, they had taken private ballroom dance
lessons. Their favorite was the rumba. As Susan slowly rubbed against Michael,
she knew this was but a prelude to what was to come. They skipped the faster
songs, knowing they needed to save their energy for what would come later. Finally,
at around nine, they left the club and made their way to their respective cars.

Once they reached her house, Susan
parked her car in the garage while Michael parked his in the driveway. Together
they made their way into the house.

Michael sat on the couch in the
living room while Susan poured two glasses of wine. She knew they would soon be
going to the bedroom. She knew what would happen and she felt a weakness in her
knees. Michael is so good in bed, Susan
thought, better than he realizes.
Their foreplay often brought Michael to the brink, yet Michael always held
back. He wanted her to enjoy every minute of their lovemaking. But more, he
wanted to make sure Susan was ready before they finally joined in a union
beyond anything either of them had experienced with anyone else. How he loved
this woman. How she loved this man.

Afterwards, Susan lay in the comfort
of his arms. She smiled, the afterglow still on her face. It seemed she had
been transported to another universe and was just now returning to earth.

After a few minutes, Michael got up
and walked over to where his clothes lay on the chair by the door to the
bedroom. He put his hand in his coat jacket and took out a box. He went back to
the bed and looked at Susan, his Tuesday night lover for the past year. He held
the box in his hand and opened it. Susan gasped.

Michael looked deep into her
eyes. “Let us go to the balcony Susan – we will say our wedding vows here,
tonight, in the company of the angels who have blessed us since we first met. In
front of the moon and the stars, the heavens themselves will bless us and
pronounce us man and wife.”

Susan looked at this man who was
her whole world.

“What about your wife?” she said
with a twinkle in her eyes.

“She will understand.” Michael
laughed. “Susan, tonight let us renew our wedding vows under the beauty of the night
sky.”

Susan looked at her husband and
felt more love than she had felt on their wedding day 40 years before.

Next week on the Scribbler you will be able to read my latest short story - The Finale of the Two Grumpy Old Men Café. The Parkers decide what to do with their restaurant. The original TGOM Café story is featured on my short story collection SHORTS Vol.1

Google+ Badge

SHORTS Vol.1

The Ship Breakers - Breaking gigantic ships by hand is dangerous and gruelling work. Many workers are children. The wages are low. ( This story received Honorable Mention in the WFNB's short story competition) Lloyd and the Baby - A bachelor finds an abandoned baby. What does he do with it? The Shattered Figurine - Detective Josephine (Jo) Naylor is told where to find the next body with a plea to help the killer stop this madness. The Two Grumpy Old Man Cafe - The meals are delicious, the atmosphere perfect and the insults are free. Available at Amazon. Please CLICK on the book cover.

SHORTS Vol.2

Five engaging short stories that will keep you wanting more by this author. *Four Boxes of Memories – Lloyd Minister moves to a nursing home with his most important possessions and he can’t take everything with him. *Reaching the Pinnacle - Grandfather and granddaughter hike the highest mountain in their province. Around the campfire, the young lady has something important to tell her Gramps. *Pioneers in a Hurry - A fond recollection of three grown men acting like boys on an all-night camping trip. Being mischievous comes naturally. *Near Dead - Detective Jo Naylor finds herself in the dark. She’s not alone. Someone wants her dead. *Six Jutlands and a Conestoga - The Verhoeven family have everything they own in a wagon, children and all. The mysterious west beckons. Available at Amazon. Please click on the book cover.

SHORTS Vol.3

Letting Go - a son deals with his deceased father's "boxes of memories". One Bedroom Ark - Noah Coyne owns a convenience story, the last customer of the night will change his life. Two Boys, One Wagon and a Secret - In the 50's, a young boy's pride was a red wagon. What do they discover one day when they are out filling it up with returnables? No Dying Today - Det. Jo Naylor and her partner search for the man that tried to kill her last night. The Food Bank - some people have too much food, others not enough.Available at Amazon. Please CLICK on the book cover.

Blooger's Award.

Thank you Susan Toy.

Family and Friends.

Nieces Pam Cottrell and Jackie Beers

Total Pageviews

What's New?

Please check out the new Detective Jo Naylor serialization on the Page bar above. New additions coming soon. Follow the story here on the Scribbler.

Paperback copies of Dark Side of a Promise are available at Chapters - Regent Mall, Fredericton, NB. Cover to Cover in Riverview, NB. And from the Author.

Allan Hudson

About Me

My mother taught me to read, to like books, when I was very young. She also taught me how to write. I grew up in the country, even went to a one-room school which was right across the road from our house. She was the teacher. The days I missed were few. I enjoy reading and some of my favorite authors are Bryce Courtenay, Beth Powning, Dennis LeHane, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Cara Brookins, Susan Toy, Jason Lawson, Lockie Young, Chuck Bowie, Harlan Coben, Leon Uris and Herman Wouk.Writing is so much fun and even though I started later in life, I am so happy to realize my dream. Having this blog so I can share other people's work gives me great pleasure.

I've had many adventures in my life. I've travelled throughout North America, gone skydiving, rock climbing, wilderness camping. I craft stained glass and I enjoy woodworking. I'm blessed with many good friends. I live in the seaside community of Cocagne, New Brunswick, Canada. My wife's name is Gloria. My son's name is Adam and my stepsons' names are Christopher (Mireille) and Mark (Nathalie) Young. My grandchildren are Matthieu, Natasha and Damien. I love them all.Thank you for visiting. I hope you enjoy my blog. You can reach me by leaving a comment and/or your email address below and I'll respond.

A new Drake Alexander novel

Coming soon...

The Douglas Kyle Memorial Award for Fiction

My story - The Ship Breakers - received Honorable Mention in the Douglas Kyle Memorial awards for New Brunswick Writers Federation's short story category. It's featured in SHORTS Vol.1

The Dark Side of a Promise

Dark Side of a Promise is an edgy, international thriller. A tale of Revenge! Drake Alexander follows the trail of one of the world’s deadliest men which leads him to the unlikeliest locations – Bangladesh, the country of rivers. Bartolo Rizzato murdered his best friend’s sister. Why is he in Asia? It can only be to steal or kill! When Alexander finds him, will he deliver on his promise? (Go to comment box in Novel section above to see what one reader says about the novel) Only $4.99 from Amazon. Please CLICK on the book cover.